Venture capital firm tied to Donald Trump Jr weighs legal action against ABC News over botched report
A venture capital firm linked to Donald Trump Jr is considering legal action against ABC News after the network removed and later substantially revised a report about the Trump family’s investments and government contracts. 1789 Capital says the initial report contained false claims and wants ABC to explain the errors to its audience.
The dispute centres on a claim that 1789 Capital invested $2.5 billion in defence company Anduril; that figure was the company’s wider fundraising round, while the firm’s investment was about $50 million. ABC’s revised article acknowledged errors concerning investments, contracts and timing, and clarified that Trump Jr is not on the firm’s investment decision-making committee. 1789 spokesperson Alexa Henning says the correction is insufficient and that the firm has not ruled out legal options.
- 1789 Capital is weighing legal action against ABC News.
- ABC revised a report after errors about investments and contracts.
- The reported Anduril investment was about $50 million, not $2.5 billion.
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1789 Capital is a US investment firm that backs companies, including businesses in defence and technology. Donald Trump Jr, the eldest son of Donald Trump, is connected to the firm but does not sit on its investment decision-making committee.
Anduril is a US defence technology company that makes equipment such as autonomous aircraft and surveillance systems. The dispute involves how ABC News described 1789 Capital’s investment in Anduril, as well as the firm’s links to government contracts.
The issue matters because news reports about political connections and public contracts can affect how readers view both businesses and officials. It also raises questions about how news organisations correct errors and how companies respond when they say coverage is inaccurate.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
1789 Capital can argue that a major outlet’s inaccurate account of its investments and links to government contracts risks serious reputational harm, and that quietly revising a report may not adequately correct the public record. Seeking a clear explanation or considering legal remedies could be a reasonable way to press for accountability and deter similar errors.
The case against
ABC News can argue that it has acknowledged and corrected errors in a report on a matter of public interest, including the scale of the firm’s investment and Trump Jr’s role. News organisations need room to report on politically connected businesses and to correct mistakes without every disputed report becoming a legal dispute; any further remedy should depend on evidence of harm and the applicable legal standards.